Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Stop Hate in the Hallways 2

What is it?

Stop Hate In The Hallways is a one-day conference to address bullying based on race, religion, and sexual orientation and gender identity. Training will be provided for the intervention and prevention of bullying and harassment in a variety of break-out sessions.

Strategies for Preventing School ViolenceA Bullying Prevention ConferenceNovember 13, 2008National Center for Employee Development2801 E State Hwy. 9Norman, Oklahoma8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Sponsored by The Cimarron Alliance Foundationand numerous national, state and local partners including BancFirst, David Rainbolt and the Kirpatrick Family Fund.

Drew Edmondson, Oklahoma's Attorney General and a Community Partner for the Stop Hate in the Hallways 2 conference, will open the event and welcome attendees.

Why does this matter?65% of teens nationwide report that they have been harassed or assaulted because of perceived or actual appearance, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, race/ethnicity, disability, or religion.About 1 out of 2 teens frequently or sometimes hear racist remarks (48%).More than one-third of Latino students hear racist remarks (35%).About 1 out of 4 teens often or sometimes hear negative religious remarks (26%).

3 out of 4 students hear homophobic remarks often or sometimes (75%).28% of teens are harassed often or very often because of their race.8% of teens are harassed often or very often because of their religion.1 in 3 teens report that students are harassed often or very often because they are or are perceived to be lesbian, gay, or bisexual.LGBT students are more than 3 times as likely as non-LGBT students to say that they do not feel safe at school.

Half of students have had rumors or lies spread about them at school.38% of students had their property stolen or deliberately damaged.68% of Latino students have been harassed or assaulted in high school.90% of LGBT students have been harassed or assaulted in high school.

71% of teachers believe that anti-harassment and anti-discrimination policies would be helpful in securing a safe learning environment for LGBT students.Only 48% of students say their school has an anti-harassment policy that specifies sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.59% of Latino students who have experienced harassment never report such incidents.67% of LGBT students who have experienced harassment never report such incidents.